This is where I think out loud about Life, the Universe and Everything. I consider life an adventure and this is part of mine whether I'm ranting on politics or taking you on a ramble through Kay's World.

Pages

Friday, August 26, 2011

My Fate According to the Grand Old Party

If they take away my Social Security, I will die. No one will take care of me and I will lose what little I have.

I am currently considering what method of suicide would be best at The Hemlock Society's website. As a Catholic, I shouldn't be doing that.

However, the bottom line is that I paid into the system and there is an implied contract by/with the United States Government that by doing so, I would receive benefits when I retired or became disabled. I just want to know if there are some smart lawyers out there getting ready to file the biggest class action suit in the history of this country.

No one asked me if I wanted it taken out of my pay checks. They just took my money. Now the greedy Tea Party candidates in Congress want to take it away from us elders including the damned fool Teabaggers who elected them!

Copies of this are being sent to my Senators and my Congressman and I might just add Bernie for good measure. I've given up on Obama -- the White House website says they respond all messages but they don't. I'm tired of being rational and trying to be fair-minded while they destroy my life. It may not be much of one, but it's mine.

Kay, I'm as frightened as you but we simply cannot afford to give up - there's too much at stake. I've read that sending letters by snail mail have a bigger impact. A small thing, I know, but still . . .

Interesting that you should mention Hemlock. I got to know the founder through his second wife who I had gone to HS with - not a very admirable man. Anne helped him write the book "Final Exit." She assisted both of her parents when the time came and she followed suit within a few short years. I always felt that she couldn't live with the enormous guilt she felt about assisting her parents. The final exit may not always be the final solution to those who are left.

Kay--Selfishly, I want to keep you around for a long, long time. I enjoy you. That said, I have always been a huge believer in it's being a person's right to exit when they wish to do so - not when someone else decides they should and not when nature sometimes decides to get around to it. Good for the Hemlock society.

For older folks who plan their own exit, the young folks who are left should thank their lucky stars that the old folks have taken responsibility for ourselves. I always abhorred the physician who forced my great-grandmother to linger for a year after she was ready to go (she died and he resuscitated her, against her wishes!) Poor Grandmother!Cop Car

Friko--To me, the questions should be, "Don't they recognize the needs of others?" Just because I don't rely upon Social Security doesn't mean that I wish to get rid of it for others. On the contrary: I am all for "means testing".Cop Car

Hemlock Society? I've heard of it, but now I'm paying attention. Take away our SS? They can't do that, can they? Would the Presindet sign a bill like that? I'm agreeing with you: If they take away our SS, that's a death sentence. How did things come to this pass?? Where has Wotshisname in the White House been all this time? Playing golf with the Weeper? Gahhh....

We may be jumping the gun a bit here as there's been no substantial proof that Obama is willing to kill SS and Medicare. Lots of rumors flying around but no hard proof. And for all their posturing, I think it's finally dawning on most Republicans that their constituents aren't too keen on the idea. The Tea Party is another matter but signs are everywhere that sensible Republicans just wish they'd go away.

Personally, if SS is tweaked so it's more solvent for future generations, I don't have a problem. And if steps are taken to end Medicare fraud, which costs billions of dollars, I don't have a problem.

The same goes for all the other entitlement programs. I live in an apt. complex full of people receiving food stamps, Medicaid, etc. The majority of them are truly, truly in need. But there are many - a good third - who simply shouldn't be on the receiving end and who survive by lying and cheating (and hate the government, I might add). The money going to these frauds should be going to those who so desperately need it.

Lesley: I live in a neighborhood that's somewhat mixed but most of us are poor and I know exactly what you mean about those who abuse the system.

Congressman Kantor, however, has made it abundantly clear, in the light of recent disasters, that he and his ilk don't give a damn what happens to anyone who isn't wealthy. Strengthening Social Security is one thing; putting people at risk is another. Groceries should not be a luxury item.

Robert: As usual, you have cut to the chase! How much is enough? All I would like is to have enough money to pay my bills, have a decent nest egg so I can keep Miss Ruby running, and not worry about health care. AND if I never have to deal with the welfare system again, I would die a happy woman. Hell! One day I made a dream list of the things I would like to have and their costs (a paid for home, etc.) and they were bupkas.

Money doesn't buy happiness; it buys comfort and a modicum of piece of mind. I think that's basically what we all want.

Mage: I hear you loud and clear! My dreams have taken a serious beating lately.

The more I read and think about this issue, the more I feel as if there is something I'm failing to understand. As a civil society, don't we owe things to each other? Isn't there such a thing as a social contract: that in return for being good citizens who sacrifice certain freedoms and who pay our taxes, take care of others, etc. we deserve to be included and looked after if we become disabled or too old to work?I really am kind of dumb, I guess.